Road closed near Doherty High School for hours after suspected DUI crash

East and westbound directions of Austin Bluffs Parkway at Barnes Road were closed for seven hours Wednesday morning after Colorado Springs police said a drunk driver crashed into a light pole, bringing down traffic lights and causing damage and delays for morning motorists.

The wreck happened nearby Doherty High School at 1:35 a.m., shutting down traffic on both directions of Austin Bluffs Parkway at Barnes Road until 8:30 a.m., police said.

The driver who caused the wreck was not seriously injured and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. A second driver was also arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, but was not involved in the wreck, police said.

Doherty High School students and staff accessed the school from westbound Barnes Road and Oro Blanco Drive.

Siferd Boulevard and Austin Bluffs Parkway, as well as Park Vista Boulevard at Austin Bluffs Parkway were also closed to motorists until 8:30 a.m.

City of Colorado Springs crews were at the scene assessing the damage and repairing damaged traffic lights, which were brought down when the light pole was struck by the vehicle, police said.

After the wreck, at least 500 Colorado Springs Utilities customers lost power until about 5 a.m., utlities spokesman Mark Murphy said.